"The tradition of the oppressed teaches
us that the 'state of emergency' in which we live is not the exception but
the rule. We must attain to a conception of history that is in keeping with
this insight. Then we shall clearly realize that it is our task to bring
about a real state of emergency, and this will improve our position in the
struggle against Fascism. One reason why Fascism has a chance is that in
the name of progress its opponents treat it as a historical norm. The current
amazement that the things we are experiencing are 'still' possible in the
twentieth century is not philosophical. This amazement is not the beginning
of knowledge--unless it is the knowledge that the view of history which
gives rise to it is untenable."

The Walter Benjamin Research Syndicate is
an on-line research resource for individuals interested in the writings
and the ongoing critical theory of Walter Benjamin (1892-1940).

This site maintains a collection of resource information
on some of Benjamin's writings, as well as current essays about Benjamin,
his work, and the work of some of his close contemporaries. Our focus
has been on those writings and projects too-often excluded from academic
Benjamin scholarship.

I am very grateful that you supplied me with the information so quickly.
A week ago I began a letter to you that ended up being eighteen pages long.
...

...An essay (originally held as a lecture when he received the venia
legendi in Freiburg*) on "Das Problem der historischen Zeit"
[The Problem of Historical Time] has appeared in the last or next to last
issue of the Zeitschrift für Philosophie und philosophische Kritik,and documents precisely how this subject should not be treated.
An awful piece of work, which you might, however, want to glance at, if
only to confirm my suspicion, i.e. that not only what the author says about
historical time (and which I am able to judge) is nonsense, but that his
statements on mechanical time are, as I suspect, also askew. ..."